Bunion Specialist

What are bunions?

A bunion is a bony protrusion that develops on the joint at the base of your big toe. Bunions usually occur when your big toe presses against the next toe, irritating the larger joint and forcing it to stick out and enlarge. Similarly, a tailor’s bunion, or bunionette, forms when your smallest toe begins to expand outward and develops a bony growth on the other side of your foot.

Adolescents can form bunions at the bottom of the big toe that become worse as they get older and their body develops. Bunions are also more common in women than in men.

The skin around your bunion might be red and sore, and your foot may look misshapen. You might find that you’re changing the way you walk to compensate for your painful bunions, and you may also develop calluses.

What causes bunions?

The cause of bunions isn’t always clear, but the bony growths have been connected to:

• Genetic defects
• Injuries to the foot
• Medical and inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis

Bunions can develop or worsen when your body weight frequently falls unevenly on the tendons and joints in your feet. High-heeled shoes and shoes that don’t fit properly can also cause or exacerbate bunions.

Chronic bouts of bursitis, inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs between the bones and tendons, can lead to bunions over time.

How are bunions treated?

Bunions are permanent unless surgically corrected. Early bunion treatment usually involves limiting or stopping the progression of the bunion, relieving pain and pressure, dispersing and reducing inflammation, and achieving optimal foot functionality.

Your doctor at Associated Podiatrists, P.C. conducts a comprehensive physical exam and performs convenient, in-office X-rays to assess your bunion and any other deformities. After making a diagnosis, your doctor may recommend one of the following treatments:

• Padding
• Separators
• Wider shoes
• Custom orthotics
• Specialized products like bunion shields, bandages, and night splints
• Anti-inflammatories and other medications
• Injection therapy
• Surgical intervention

If you do need surgery to permanently correct more severe bunions, the doctors at Associated Podiatrists, P.C. are all experienced foot surgeons with operating privileges at a number of area hospitals.

How can I prevent bunions?

To prevent bunions, be sure to choose comfortable shoes that fit properly with wider insteps and softer soles. Avoid shoes that are sharply pointed, tight-fitting, or narrow.

If your bunion is causing persistent pain, becomes a cosmetic problem, impairs your walking, or makes it hard to find shoes that fit right, visit Associated Podiatrists, P.C. for quality care. Call or book online today.